Splash mt freaks me out- help!

[laurabelle]

I hate the drop sensation- feeling like I'm going to come flying out of the log but I love the theming of it and want to conquer my fear. Is it possible to actually come flying out of it (I don't mean the poor souls who freaked and climbed out ) but why don't they have seat/lap belts on this ride? Is there physics going on here? (I'm mathematically challenged. )
Any tips to help me feel more secure?

 

[Bill From PA]

Seated near the bottom of the log, your center of gravity is very low to begin with. Based on your user name I'd say you are a woman and unless you're a world class bodybuilder your center is lower than a man's to begin with . The incline (decline?) is something on the order of 45 - 50 degrees, well short of the tipping point. I suppose an instantaneous full stop as experienced in a car hitting a brick wall could pitch one or more occupants out, I don't see that happening. Enjoy the ride and close your eyes as you reach the top.

Bill From PA

 

[DukeStreetKing]

I'm with you LauraBelle,

I love the line before you get on the ride and I love the theming of the ride, but I dread that last drop. It would be great to have a last minute chicken exit, maybe a rope dangling from the ceiling that you could grab and pull yourself out of the log. LOL.

On my last trip, there was a young boy sitting in front of his mother and as we were climbing the big hill, he decided that he didn't want to be alone for the drop so he started climbing over the seat back and into the back seat where his mom was! Ohmigod, I was freaking! I swear he only had 1 second to spare before we were zooming down the hill.

Anyway, I'm pretty certain that as long as you are sitting down, you will not be thrown out of the log. I've seen all sorts of people doing things on the way down and none of them were tossed out of their logs.

Good luck.

 

[Micca]

There are millions of people who have not fallen out irrespective of their height, weight, etc. Unless you're a lottery winner(and therefore have beaten the odds) go on the ride. The more you do it, the less impact that big drop has

 

[kilee]

I have actually never been on a "log ride" with seat belts. So obviously it is the whole physics thing that keeps us in. I love this ride too-- w/ the exception of the final drop. Ugh-- but I keep doing it!!

 

[kda]

The angle of descent is calculated to avoid pitching forward.

TIP TO DECREASE ANXIETY: When you get to the top, put your hands straight up and lean back into the seat. (putting your arms up will help you do this). Lean back hard. Look straight out and see how incredibly beautiful the castle is, especially at night. There's much, much less sensation of falling forward (and out) when you're not looking down. Remember that the drop is literally a second, and then you're laughing with pure joy that YOU MADE IT!!!!!!! AND, there will be a real cool picture of you looking very brave, with your arms up.

 

[laurabelle]

Originally posted by kda
The angle of descent is calculated to avoid pitching forward.

TIP TO DECREASE ANXIETY: When you get to the top, put your hands straight up and lean back into the seat. (putting your arms up will help you do this). Lean back hard. Look straight out and see how incredibly beautiful the castle is, especially at night. There's much, much less sensation of falling forward (and out) when you're not looking down. Remember that the drop is literally a second, and then you're laughing with pure joy that YOU MADE IT!!!!!!! AND, there will be a real cool picture of you looking very brave, with your arms up.

I knew there was math involved - Thanks for the lesson everyone!

kda: I've never even noticed the view. I always end up leaning forward because I'm holding onto that bar for dear life. I'll try to keep my head and remember your advice!

 

[minster22]

laurabelle, I am with you, just terrified of that drop!! I have been on Splash several times but I get myself worked up into such a tizzy I swear I could have a heart attack. All those cute little critters singing and just having a grand old time along the way make the anticipation almost too much too bear. I am sure it was planned that way.Each time I muster up the courage to do it though, it is very exciting at the end. One of the most memorable rides was at Easter one year........MK was open until midnight and it was about 11pm when we rode. As we came around a bend and into the outside the view was spectacular, Cinderellas castle with a huge full moon behind it!! Absolutely breathtaking and worth every terrifying moment!!

 

[goofy4tink]

Splash Mt. has been a huge challenge for me every trip. I go on it, but do not enjoy it. So, when my dd and I were there in Dec. I decided to 'do it right' this time!! Found that, as someone else said, if you push back hard into your seat the dropping feeling isn't as bad. It was so much worse when I leaned forward to hold on!!!! Then, I shoved my knees under the front of the log in front of me. Now, I don't remember if you can do this in the other seats, but it works for the front seat. Then, I sorta hold on with my knees. My picture this time?? Arms up in the air. Eyes still closed, at that particualar moment anyway!!! I think I may have it beat at last!!

 

[Aisling]

When you get to the top, put your hands straight up and lean back into the seat. (putting your arms up will help you do this). Lean back hard. Look straight out and see how incredibly beautiful the castle is, especially at night. There's much, much less sensation of falling forward (and out) when you're not looking down. Remember that the drop is literally a second, and then you're laughing with pure joy that YOU MADE IT!!!!!!! AND, there will be a real cool picture of you looking very brave, with your arms up.

This is exactly what I do! When I keep my arms down, I have more of that feeling that I may fall out. But when my arms are up, it feels like my arms are forcing my back against the seat, which is a secure feeling. It sounds like how could this make sense, but it's true!

 

[erikthewise]

Originally posted by kda
TIP TO DECREASE ANXIETY: When you get to the top, put your hands straight up and lean back into the seat. (putting your arms up will help you do this). Lean back hard. Look straight out and see how incredibly beautiful the castle is, especially at night. There's much, much less sensation of falling forward (and out) when you're not looking down. Remember that the drop is literally a second, and then you're laughing with pure joy that YOU MADE IT!!!!!!! AND, there will be a real cool picture of you looking very brave, with your arms up.

Actually this would make it worse for me! Looking at distant objects makes me lose my balance and increases my fear of heights. I need to hold on tight and concentrate on something near.

A freefall drop of 60ft takes about 2 seconds. As this is not quite freefall it will probably take a little longer. (I wouldn't have said anything if you didn't say "literally"!)

Since the boat does not drop at a 90 degree angle, there is still a significant component of the gravitational force vector which is holding you to the bottom of the boat. Everyone feel better now? Physics does that...

 

[njcarita]

i must be odd- i won't go on any rollercoaster- i was even terrified of the barnstormer- more like hated it-

but i love splashdown!!!!!!!!!!- i'll ride it over and over again

 

[meganbear]

YAAAAY!!! I'm not crazy after all! I thought I was the only person in the world that thought Splash Mountain was scary (well the drop part that is! ). My hubby and sister tell me I'm crazy, but I am seriously thinking about not doing SM this year!!! But if I do, I'm gonna try holding my hands up and looking straight forward--thanks for the tip!

 

[dvcfamily41801]

I feel the exact same way. I have gotten out of line a few times because I was so afraid of the drop. One of these days I say I am going to try it.

 

[KimR]

I don't like big drops, either, but I've ridden Splash Mountain twice, and it is really not as bad as it looks. I always dread that big, final drop but it is over before you know it and I've never gotten the feeling that I am going to fly out. I do think I could enjoy the ride much more, however, if they'd move the drop to the beginning of the ride so as to get it over with!

But you really should give it a try, the theming is so cute! I promise the drop is not that bad!

Kim

 

[Stepharoonie!]

What freaked me out was last weekend there was no actual water on the drop part of the ride. It was a bare track. I was more nervous about that then I've ever been on that ride. I don't know why

There were an awful lot of hats at the bottom of the track, too

 

[sm4987]

I love roller coasters, but the drop on Splash Mountain made me think twice about going on it. However, I will do this ride over and over again because the inside is so great. The last drop is not as bad as it seems, and the view is truely beautiful from up there.

 

[shortbun]

On every picture taken of me at SplshM, I look like I'm praying...
eyes closed, holding on.

 

[cleo]

I told my then-8 year old son (who was reluctant to ride because of the drop) 'If you scream as you start to drop, the suction from your scream will stick your bottom to the seat'.

Not quite 'physics', really just a distraction, but it worked for him!

 

[Aisling]

I told my then-8 year old son (who was reluctant to ride because of the drop) 'If you scream as you start to drop, the suction from your scream will stick your bottom to the seat'.

I love this! I'm definitately going to use this one!